L.A. Arena Co. LLC has dropped one man as a defendant in their cross-complaint stemming from an underlying lawsuit filed by a man who alleges he was ambushed and robbed by three men in an upstairs restroom at the venue in 2024.
Efren Grave’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges negligence and premises liability by L.A. Arena and AEG-Crypto.com Arena. The complaint also includes a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress on behalf of Grave’s minor daughter, who witnessed the alleged battery, as well as assault and battery against Michael and Chris Camacho and Michael Fraticelli.
AEG and L.A. Arena filed a cross-complaint against the trio in June 2025, denying liability but asking that the three men compensate them for any damages assessed against the company. However, on Tuesday L.A. Arena filed court papers with Judge Maureen Duffy-Lewis asking that Michael Camacho be dismissed as a defendant. No reason was given.
In a separate action, Grave has filed an application for an order to serve the Camachos with notice of the suit via a publication in Inglewood, where the two were last known to live.
AEG lawyers maintained in their previous court papers that security was sufficient and reasonable.
“The issue here is whether, as a matter of law, the security measures undertaken were commensurate with the duty to act reasonably in the management of the property,” the AEG attorneys stated in their court papers. “Simply because an assault occurred is an insufficient basis to establish unreasonableness.”
The suit gives no specific facts as to how security could have been better to prevent the attack on Grave, the AEG lawyers further argued in their pleadings.
According to the suit filed in February 2025, Grave and his daughter were sitting courtside during the Lakers’ game on Nov. 13, 2024, against the Memphis Grizzlies, won by the home team, 128-123. During the contest, the pair went to the nearest restroom, but the staff told them it was occupied by a “celebrity,” so they went upstairs to another bathroom, the suit states.
Grave was washing his hands when three men approached and began harassing him about the diamond watch and chains he wore, according to the suit, which further states Grave was then struck on the head and further assaulted as he tried to leave the restroom. The complaint states Grave was “robbed,” but doesn’t specify what property was taken.
Grave screamed for help, but the security personnel and staff allegedly were distracted by the game and were not paying adequate attention. The suit further states it was “reasonably foreseeable” to employees that visitors to the Figueroa Street venue could be assaulted.
The next proceeding is a case management conference scheduled for Oct. 6.